The temperance movement of the Antebellum Period was a stand against the drunkeness of society. The movement of the 19th century was even more influential than in the 20th century. Alcoholism was seen as "the root of all evil", and caused the major problems of the young, blooming nation such as crime, poverty, immorality, and insanity. Societies such as The American Temperance Society, founded in Boston, were established to bring about social change to the nation, many of these societies were largely made up of women who were a great influence to the temperence movement.
Temperance is a word that means moderation, and it's not a coincidence that this was chosen as the word to represent the movement against alcohol.Alcoholism was seen as "the root of all evil", and caused the major problems of the young, blooming nation such as crime, poverty, immorality, and insanity. Many groups of different ethnic, religions, and social statuses supported temperance as a solution to their own issues. In the 1800s, many groups-specifically women's societies- banded together to promote abstinence and a proposed ban of alcohol.
Causes:
Many Americans, inspired by the uprising in Christianity, undertook a social reform in which they tried to fix the problems in society. Increased population in urban societies and immigration brought on by industrialization also brought upon new conflicts.Issues such as poverty, crime, and most importantly, alcoholism were addressed.
Many people-who were possibly influenced by the Second Great Awakening- believed that alcohol and the consuming of alcohol was cause for poverty, crime, and corruption of youth. This led to the formation of the temperance movement and it's many societies.
Goals:
The goals of this temperance movement were to clean up urban society and make it more wholesome. Social reform groups such as The American Society for the Promotion of Temperance urged its members to act morally. By the 1840s the goal turned from only allowing alcohol in moderate use to complete prohibition. In 1851 Maine prohibited the use of all alcohol and eleven other territories and states did the same in years to follow.
Tactics/Strategies
Tried to persuade people to drink moderate amounts of alcohol.
Drafted potitions and had people sign saying the would not drink.
By the end people were pushing for laws to get rid of drinking.
Formed societies and held meetings to talk about how bad alcohol is
Formed self-help groups to help drunkards stop drinking
Local laws wereStates passed to limit the amout of alcohol use.
Plays were performed to express the ideas of the movement.
Successes/Failures
Success:
In 1851 the state of Maine banned the sale of alcohal and by 1855 thirteen other states had passed similar laws.
Many temperance societies/organizations were formed
The first ladies’ temperance society
The American Temperance society: Over 200,000 members
The Ohio Women's Temperance society
Local laws were passed to limit the amout of alcohol use
MAIN SUCCESS: increased understanding of alcohol use
Failures:
Most laws were repealed or not enforced
Americans overall did not stop drinking
Overall the temperance movement was a success because there was an increase in understanding. This eventually led to prohibition. The temperance movement started this idea of alcohol being bad and laid the foundation for the 18th amendment which prohibited alcohol in the early 20th century.
The temperance movement during the antebellum period may not have been a complete success, however it laid the foundation for the changes that would come during the twentieth century.
Key Figures:
Neal Dow: was a New England business man who led the fight to make it illegal to sell alcohol.
Theobald Matthew: A Catholic Priest who was very influential in the temperance movement. He inspired thousands of people to sign a pledge to never drink alcohol again.
Joseph Livesey: A preston workingman who signed a pledge to not drink alcohol. He was followed by friends and fellow workers who he led by example.
Philip Snowden
George Sims:
George Cruikshank: An artist who persuaded others to not drink alcohol by writing a series of books from 1847 to 1862. Cruikshank's father had died of alcoholism which inspired George to start his movement against the impurities of society.
The Temperance Crusade
Key Events:
On January 13, 1853, participants drafted a constitution which formed The Ohio Women's Temperance Society. This society was the first statewide temperance society that exsisted in Ohio.
In Hillsboro, Ohio in 1873 a group of women marched through town, stopping at every saloon and demanded the owners sign a pledge to no longer sell alcohol. By 1875, more than 130 other societies experience similar marches.
The temperance movement of the Antebellum Period was a stand against the drunkeness of society. The movement of the 19th century was even more influential than in the 20th century. Alcoholism was seen as "the root of all evil", and caused the major problems of the young, blooming nation such as crime, poverty, immorality, and insanity. Societies such as The American Temperance Society, founded in Boston, were established to bring about social change to the nation, many of these societies were largely made up of women who were a great influence to the temperence movement.
Temperance is a word that means moderation, and it's not a coincidence that this was chosen as the word to represent the movement against alcohol.Alcoholism was seen as "the root of all evil", and caused the major problems of the young, blooming nation such as crime, poverty, immorality, and insanity. Many groups of different ethnic, religions, and social statuses supported temperance as a solution to their own issues. In the 1800s, many groups-specifically women's societies- banded together to promote abstinence and a proposed ban of alcohol.
Causes:
Many Americans, inspired by the uprising in Christianity, undertook a social reform in which they tried to fix the problems in society. Increased population in urban societies and immigration brought on by industrialization also brought upon new conflicts.Issues such as poverty, crime, and most importantly, alcoholism were addressed.
Many people-who were possibly influenced by the Second Great Awakening- believed that alcohol and the consuming of alcohol was cause for poverty, crime, and corruption of youth. This led to the formation of the temperance movement and it's many societies.
Goals:
The goals of this temperance movement were to clean up urban society and make it more wholesome. Social reform groups such as The American Society for the Promotion of Temperance urged its members to act morally. By the 1840s the goal turned from only allowing alcohol in moderate use to complete prohibition. In 1851 Maine prohibited the use of all alcohol and eleven other territories and states did the same in years to follow.
Tactics/Strategies
Tried to persuade people to drink moderate amounts of alcohol.
Drafted potitions and had people sign saying the would not drink.
By the end people were pushing for laws to get rid of drinking.
Formed societies and held meetings to talk about how bad alcohol is
Formed self-help groups to help drunkards stop drinking
Local laws were States passed to limit the amout of alcohol use.
Plays were performed to express the ideas of the movement.
Successes/Failures
Success:
In 1851 the state of Maine banned the sale of alcohal and by 1855 thirteen other states had passed similar laws.
Many temperance societies/organizations were formed
The first ladies’ temperance society
The American Temperance society: Over 200,000 members
The Ohio Women's Temperance society
Local laws were passed to limit the amout of alcohol use
MAIN SUCCESS: increased understanding of alcohol use
Failures:
Most laws were repealed or not enforced
Americans overall did not stop drinking
Overall the temperance movement was a success because there was an increase in understanding. This eventually led to prohibition. The temperance movement started this idea of alcohol being bad and laid the foundation for the 18th amendment which prohibited alcohol in the early 20th century.
The temperance movement during the antebellum period may not have been a complete success, however it laid the foundation for the changes that would come during the twentieth century.
Key Figures:
Neal Dow: was a New England business man who led the fight to make it illegal to sell alcohol.
Theobald Matthew: A Catholic Priest who was very influential in the temperance movement. He inspired thousands of people to sign a pledge to never drink alcohol again.
Joseph Livesey: A preston workingman who signed a pledge to not drink alcohol. He was followed by friends and fellow workers who he led by example.
Philip Snowden
George Sims:
George Cruikshank: An artist who persuaded others to not drink alcohol by writing a series of books from 1847 to 1862. Cruikshank's father had died of alcoholism which inspired George to start his movement against the impurities of society.
Key Events:
On January 13, 1853, participants drafted a constitution which formed The Ohio Women's Temperance Society. This society was the first statewide temperance society that exsisted in Ohio.
In Hillsboro, Ohio in 1873 a group of women marched through town, stopping at every saloon and demanded the owners sign a pledge to no longer sell alcohol. By 1875, more than 130 other societies experience similar marches.
Temperance Movement Sign
Links**http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Temperance_movement**
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=560
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REtemperance.htm
http://chnm.gmu.edu/lostmuseum/searchlm.php?function=find&exhibit=temperance&browse=temperance
Bibliography
"Temperance." Michael Gagnon Homepage. Web. 19 Nov. 2010. <http://mgagnon.myweb.uga.edu/students/Davis.htm>.
Primary Sources
1.
Excerpts from:
Title: A Women's Temperance Society, History
Author: Lorenzo D. Johnson
Date: 1843
Summary: This source talks about the goals, successes and failures of the Women's Temperance Society.
http://www.osv.org/explore_learn/document_viewer.php?DocID=42
2.
Title: The Drunkard Act IV Scene I
Author: William H. Smith
Date: 1844
Summary:
The Drunkard is an American temperance play that reflects the concern of many 19th century Americans over the persistent abuse of alcohol.
ttp://chnm.gmu.edu/lostmuseum/lm/42/
3.
Title: Programme of the Temperance Convention
Author: Hon. Chief Justice Williams president of the Temperance Convention
Date: 1841
Summary:
This is a temperance meeting in Middletown CT that involves speeches, reports, a parade, and the singing of temperance songs.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=rbpe&fileName=rbpe00/rbpe008/00800500/rbpe00800500page.db&recNum=0&itemLink=D?rbpebib:20:./temp/~ammem_t4iM::&linkText=0
Bibliography